Demola Olarewaju, Senior Political Assistant to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has issued a stark warning regarding the upcoming 2027 elections. He stated that the opposition's momentum would significantly diminish if Atiku were to withdraw from the race. Olarewaju's comments reflect a growing concern within the opposition ranks about the potential impact of Atiku's decision on their electoral prospects.

In a post on social media platform X, Olarewaju asserted that Atiku is uniquely positioned to compete against the current president, Bola Tinubu, both on a national and international level. He emphasized that the dynamics of an election featuring an incumbent, such as Tinubu, differ vastly from those of a transition election. "Atiku steps down now and opposition momentum dies totally – an election with the incumbent as contestant is a different ballgame from a transition election," he stated.

Olarewaju further elaborated on Atiku's significance, describing him as a vital bridge for the opposition, not only for the 2027 elections but also in the years that follow. He believes that Atiku's leadership is essential for maintaining a cohesive opposition core beyond the upcoming election cycle. "2027 is beyond Atiku. Atiku himself is the bridge for us to build and hold an opposition core, post-2027," he noted.

The aide's remarks come in the wake of the 2023 elections, which saw the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) facing unexpected challenges. Olarewaju attributed part of the APC's struggles to former President Muhammadu Buhari's lack of investment in Tinubu's victory, which he claims contributed to losses in key areas such as Lagos and allowed for widespread electoral malpractices in various states.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the ADC and its supporters are rallying around Atiku, urging him to remain in the race to ensure a robust challenge to Tinubu's administration. The stakes are high as the opposition seeks to solidify its position and present a united front ahead of the crucial 2027 elections.